Folding voting booth



Patented Mar. 27, 1923.

mirra JOHN J. REINHOLD, or MARIETTA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING VOTING BOOTH.

Appueatioii filed september 1o, 1921. serial No. 499,711.

T all 'whom 'it may concern.:

Be it known that I,'JoHN J. REINHOLD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Marietta, county of Lancaster'. State" of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Voting Booths, of which the following is a specification. Y.

This invention'relates to improvements in folding voting-booths of the type constructed vof skeleton framework covered with canvas, or more particularly, detail improvements in connection therewith; the object of this invention being to simplify and improve the construction set forth and described in my pending application for patent on folding voting-booth, filed April 7, 1921, Serial No. 459,232.

In folding voting booths of the character herein shown and described, it is necessary that they be sufficiently high so that a tall man -can enter without Stooping to avoid striking the over head cross member; it is also desirable in many instances that the entrance curtain be exceptionally long, so long in fact that the curtain can not be folded in conjunction with the various sections as shown and described in my application for patent above referred to, unless the curtain is folded. Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide an entrance curtain for booths of this character, namelycomprising two side sections hinged to a back section-which can be folded in a flat condition with the various sections, and in addition, to pivot the over head cross member in a particular manner whereby the same may be folded to lie parallel with the several sections so that the same can be inclosed in the straps, or other means for binding the booth when in folded condition.

This invention will be more fully understood from the following description and by referring to the accompanying drawing in which similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Fig. 1. is a perspective view of a folding booth embodying the principal features of this invention.

Fig. 2. is a perspective view of a portion of the booth showing the curtain in folded condition.

Fig. 3. is a plan view of the booth shown completely folded as when placed in storage. Fig. 4. is an enlarged perspective viewl of the upper left hand'fcorner of thebooth represented in F ig.11.

ofthe side section'l by tacks 9. The proportionsof the booth-are made tobe such, so that the curtain 8 can be laid fiat with the side section 1 without folding, and the free end attached thereto by the pin 10 as shown in Fig. 2, or that it may be attached to the side section 2 to hang in the condition as shown in Fig. 1.

To the upper front edge of the side section 1 is pivoted a cross member 11, the. pivot being formed by the pin 12. Into the upper front edge of the side section 2 is screwed a hook 13 as shown in Fig. 4. The cross member 11 is provided with a hole 14 which engages with the hook 13, and is supported thereby, forming a detachable connection between the side section 2 and the cross member 11.

The curtain 8 when hanging in the condition as shown in Fig. 1 is also carried by the hook 13, this hook passing through the same hole in the curtain which is used for hanging the curtain on the pin 10. In other words the same is interchangeable to bc hung on either the hook 13 or pin 10 as the conditions require.

To the side sections 1 and 2 are fastened in any suitable manner, preferably by tacks, straps as shown at15 and 16 respectively. To the same side sections and in the same manner are fastened straps 17 and 13 carrying buckles 19 and 2O respectively. The purpose of these straps and buckles are to provide a means for holding the booth in a folded condition as shown in Fig. 3.

It is to be observed that the strap 17 and 16 inclose the cross member 11, holding the same from swinging out of position when the booth is in folded condition; Lalso the kdesk board 5 is turned on hinges 6 into the position shown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1, numerals 1 and 2 in- From the foregoing description itis apparent that a folding booth is provided which may be sufficiently high for a man to enter without stooping to avoid over head obstructions, and in which the entrance curtain may be exceptionally long and be folded with the booth in a flat condition without Wrinkling or folding the same.

In conjunction With the above mentioned features the entire booth has all its parts permanently attached and may be strapped and held in folded condition With little danger of the parts becoming broken or detached, and from getting lost.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is as follows:

l. In a folding voting booth of the class described, comprising a back section, two side sections hinged to said back section, a curtain xed to the front edge of one of the side sections, and adaptable to close the front side of the booth or, to be laid flat with the side section to which it is fixed, a cross member pivoted in front of said curtain to the front edge of said side section and adaptable to lie parallel thereto, means for detachably connecting said curtain to the other side section than the one to which it is fixed, said means being adapted to also carry the free end of said cross member in front of said curtain.

2. ln a folding voting booth of the class described comprising a back section, two side sections hinged to said back section, a curtain fixed to the front edge of one of the side sections, and adaptable to close the front side of the booth or, to be laid flat with the side section to which it is fixed, means for detachably connecting the said curtain to the other side section than the one to which it is fixed, a cross member pivoted to the front edge of one side section and adaptable to lie parallel thereto, means for detachably con nectin g the free end of said cross member to the other side section than the one to Which it is pivoted and independent of said curtain,

and straps carrying buckles the saine being fixed to the side sections and adapted to inclose said cross member and hold the booth in folded condition.

In testimony whereof I aHiX my signature.

JOHN J. REINHOLD. 

